Bangladesh Bank issued a new dress code advisory for its employees that quickly sparked intense discussion across the country. The advisory, issued on July 21 by the Human Resources Department, laid out specific clothing requirements for both male and female staff. For men, formal shirts—long or half‑sleeved—and formal trousers were mandated, while jeans and gabardine trousers were explicitly banned. Shoes or formal sandals were required. For women, the guidelines advised wearing sarees or salwar-kameez with orna and simple headscarves or hijabs, all in modest and professional colours. Short-sleeved or short-length dresses and leggings were prohibited, and disciplinary action was warned for non-compliance. Within a day of the advisory becoming public, significant backlash emerged from staff and the wider public. Many voiced concerns that the policy restricted personal freedoms and gender equality. Fifty-four prominent citizens issued a public statement condemning the directive, calling it a violation of women’s rights and urging a formal investigation with exemplary punishment for those responsible. Faced with growing criticism, Bangladesh Bank swiftly reversed its position. Governor Ahsan H Mansur, who was abroad at the time, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction after learning of the local advisory via media coverage. He ordered the directive to be revoked immediately. Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arif Hossain Khan clarified that no formal policy had been adopted, and no official circular was issued by central management. The advisory had emerged only from internal departmental discussions. Despite the advisory’s withdrawal, the episode sparked questions over workplace norms and institutional decision-making. In statements, the bank emphasised that the directive was meant to suggest professional attire in line with social norms and promote uniformity among staff. However, critics saw it as overreach by a large national institution. The rapid reversal and public response underlined how sensitive dress policies can be in modern workplaces. Observers noted that clear guidelines and participatory processes are essential when crafting such internal policies. Bangladesh Bank has since affirmed that the advisory will not limit personal choice and that enforcement of clothing standards was never mandatory. The swift change also highlighted the power of public opinion and social media in prompting institutional accountability. The governor’s decisive action prevented further escalation, and the bank reiterated its commitment to inclusivity and staff dignity. Though the advisory is now off the table, the incident has renewed attention on how national institutions handle internal recommendations and respect employee rights.
